Project IMPACT 2019 Allocations

Every year 7th graders at The Davis Academy come together to create a pop-up philanthropic organization that is responsible for donating several thousand dollars to worthy organizations in the Atlanta area, nationally, and in Israel. The process whereby organizations are researched, nominated, and selected is called Project IMPACT. The dollars allocated are provided by the students' parents as a kind of collective Bnai Mitzvah gift to the students. As a result of this special and meaningful process, the 7th grade students of The Davis Academy have been able to sustain and enhance the world-changing efforts of scores of organizations over the years. In that spirit, here is a summary of the 2019 Project IMPACT outcomes. 

The 7th grade class of 2019 selected 8 organizations to receive nearly $600/ per organization. Local organizations include: The Packaged Good, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, and the Atlanta Human Society. National organizations include the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, Pencils for Promise, and the National MPS Society. This year's Israel organizations are the Friends of the IDF and Save a Child's Heart. 

This year's cover letters, written by students, are particularly meaningful illustrations of what this process means. In that spirit, here are excerpts from the cover letters: 

Save a Child's Heart

To Whom It May Concern:

            Every Year at the Davis Academy, a Reform Jewish day school in Atlanta Georgia, the seventh grade is tasked with finding an organization to which they want to donate their Tzedakah collections from the year as part of our project impact. When thinking about what was most important to us, we realized how many children are dying from heart diseases and how many of them do not have access to Cardiac Pediatric Care. Save a Child’s Heart provides children around the world no matter what their background is with a chance of surviving these awful diseases and getting the right treatment for free. Because of all the amazing things that Save a Child’s Heart does for children, we decided to donate our tzedakah to this organization. We are so excited to donate our money to an organization that saves children’s lives!

                                  

                                  Sincerely,

                      

                        Goldie T. and Talan B.

Pencils for Promise

To Pencils of Promise, Incorporated:

            Each year at the Davis Academy, a Reform Jewish day school in Atlanta, Georgia, the seventh graders in Judaics Studies are tasked with choosing an organization to which they will donate money set aside from out tuitions as a part of our Project Impact. When thinking about what we valued, we realized how very lucky we were to be getting such a good education, which is something that many people never get to experience. That is why we decided to pick you, so that you will be able to continue making schools in places that aren’t making them themselves. We are happy to be donating to you and we hope to make a positive difference in the world. 

Sincerely, 

Lior W. and Frankie S.

FIDF

To whom it may concern,

            Every year, seventh-grade students at the Davis Academy are given the job of finding a charity they want to donate to as a part of Project Impact. For my charity, I decided to think of something that spoke out to me. I thought about the soldiers who protect me. I wanted to give back to the people who make me feels safes. I decided to donate money to the Friends of the Israel Defense Force. In eighth grade, we get the chance to experience Israel by taking a trip there. Every year, the IDF protects every student in eighth grade. Because of this,  I want to  donate. I hope I can help give back to them for their services. I am glad to donate this money and I cannot wait to go to Israel to experience the Jewish state.

Sincerely,

Jordan F.

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta:

            Every year at the Davis Academy, a Reform Jewish Day School in Atlanta, Georgia, the seventh grade is tasked with finding an organization to which they want to donate their tzedakah collections from the year as a part of our Project Impact. When thinking about what was most important to me, I realized that healthcare has played a role in my life. I really want healthcare for children and I decided that I was going to donate my money to CHOA. In 6th grade, I went to CHOA because I was sick, and I want other people to have the most up to date things to help them. I am so excited to donate to you guys, and I hope it can help you  with your needs.

Sincerely,

Ari L.

National MPS Society

To Whom It May Concern:

            Every year at the Davis Academy, a Reform Jewish Day School in Atlanta, Georgia, the seventh grade is tasked with finding an organization to which they want to donate their tzedakah collections from the year as a part of our Project Impact. When thinking about what was most important to us, we realized how much we wanted to help find a cure for diseases. It deeply saddened us how many people have life-threatening illnesses, so we decided to donate our funds to the National MPS Society.  We both know and love people with MPS, so we would love to help them. Both of us are so excited to donate ___ and help save the lives of so many people.

Sincerely,

Rachel D. and Hope M.

Atlanta Humane Society

Dear Atlanta Humane Society

            In Atlanta, Georgia, the seventh graders at a Reform Jewish Day School called the Davis Academy are asked to find an organization that they want to donate their Tzedakah from the whole year as part of their project impact. While thinking of causes that are truly important to us, we realized how much we love animals. We know how many animals are homeless and in need of care, so we wanted to help them. We decided we want to donate our money to your organization, The Atlanta Humane Society. We are proud to donate our money to your organization and hope we can impact the lives of many animals.

Sincerely,

Isabelle G. and Rachel R.

Center for Disaster Philanthropy

To Whom It May Concern,

             Every year at the Davis Academy, a reform Jewish Day School in Atlanta, Georgia, the seventh grade is tasked with finding an organization to which they want to donate their tzedakah collection from the year as a part of our project impact. When we, Ross and Zach, were thinking about a worthy cause to donate to,  we thought of The Center for Disaster Philanthropy because. We chose this organization because this past Summer, we visited Orange County, California for a sporting event. We stayed with a family that lived very close to the wildfires. Their family was affected by these fires in many different ways. For example, their  grandma’s home was in severe danger due to the wildfires, so she had to stay with us and our host family. This is why we would like to donate to The  Center for Disaster Philanthropy. We hope that our donation will help repair the homes of families and the land  in California.

Sincerely,

Ross B. and Zach R.